Gary Albright, 36, Nebraska and international star, dies of heart attack

GARY ALBRIGHT, 36, NEBRASKA ALL-AMERICAN AND INTERNATIONAL STAR, DIES OF HEART ATTACK

Gary Albright, 36, a three-time NCAA All-American from the Univ. of Nebraska and a talented freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestler, died of a heart attack in Hazelton, Pa., January 7. Lucerne County Coroner Andy Piskel said the death was due to natural causes.

Albright, who had a successful professional wrestling career after completing his amateur career, was competing at a professional wrestling event at the Hazelton American Legion. Albright participated in a match against Billy "Lucifer Grimm" Owens. He collapsed and passed away shortly afterward at the hospital.

Albright was a three-time NCAA All-American for the Univ. of Nebraska at heavyweight, placing second in 1984, third in 1985 and seventh in 1982. He was a Big Eight conference champion in 1984 and was named Most Valuable Wrestler for the team in 1986.

He was also successful on the national level in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. He was the 1982 USWF National Open Freestyle champion. He placed third in the 1984 Olympic Trials in freestyle wrestling and fourth in Greco-Roman wrestling. He won three All-American honors in freestyle and two in Greco-Roman during the early 1980's. He was a 1981 Elite Greco-Roman champion.

He started amateur wrestling as a youth, and attended Billings West High School in Billings, Montana.

There is a memorial planned for Friday January 14th to be held in Pensacola, Florida. Anyone that would like to send cards or donation to Gary's Widow and children can address them to: Mrs. Monica Albright , c/o Afa Anoai, P.O.Box 251, Whitehall Pa. 18052 - 0251.

-- from Associated Press, Gary Albright.com web page, Nebraska media guide and other sources.